Media Critique #26 - CNN's "Shootout"

When a Palestinian commits pre-meditated murder against an Israeli at point-blank range, CNN merely says that a 'gunfight broke out.'

On June 14, as the Mideast cease-fire began, a Palestinian shot to death an Israeli security official near the Jerusalem Tunnel Road. All major news agencies reported the sequence of events as follows: The Palestinian committed deliberate, pre-meditated murder, and then was shot before he could cause further harm.

Compare these reports -- which are straight and factual -- to the CNN report, which whitewashes the Palestinian atrocity.

NEW YORK TIMES -- This morning, Lt. Col. Yehuda Edri, 46, an army intelligence officer, was killed while traveling by car between Jerusalem and a nearby West Bank settlement, Gush Etzion. A passenger was injured, and a third person in the car opened fire, killing a Palestinian assailant, according to the Israeli police. http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/15/world/15MIDE.html?searchpv=day05

WASHINGTON POST -- An Israeli army intelligence officer, Lt. Col. Yehuda Edri, 45, was killed by a Palestinian man he was meeting on a major highway south of Jerusalem, according to Palestinian radio. The soldier's bodyguard, who was wounded in the encounter, then shot and killed the Palestinian, Israeli news media reported.http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2720-2001Jun14.html

LOS ANGELES TIMES -- Israeli police said Abu Shaireh approached the van where Edri and his two bodyguards waited and opened fire at point-blank range. One of the bodyguards was injured; the other chased the gunman into a nearby olive orchard and shot him to death, according to police. http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/20010615/t000049811.html

Compare these to the following CNN report, which purposely blurs the sequence of events:

CNN (Posted: 3:35 PM EDT) -- In one of two new violent incidents, Israeli police said Thursday a Palestinian agent and an Israeli security official were killed in what was described as a shootout. Israeli police said the security official and the Palestinian agent had met clandestinely when the gunfight broke out. (emphasis added)

The incident happened on the outskirts of Jerusalem on Tunnel Road, which leads to Bethlehem.

CNN cannot bring itself to report the Palestinian atrocity straight out. Instead, in typical CNN style that we've seen over the past 9 months, the report merely says that a "gunfight broke out."

We ask CNN: Since there was only one Palestinian on the scene, if the Palestinian was killed first, then who shot the Israeli?

===============

CNN RESPONDS:

> From: Mike.Hanna@turner.com
> To: Israel Update
> Date: 15 Jun 2001

Concerning your comments about CNN's reporting of the killing of Lt Col.Yehuda Edri: The first two reports you quote were in fact incorrect in several aspects.

The facts of the matter are as follows: Lt Col Yehuda Edri was shot during a pre-organised meeting with his Palestinian undercover agent Hassan Abu Sha'ira. One of Colonel Edri's bodyguards was wounded, the second bodyguard chased after and shot Abu Sha'ira.

This was not an incident of random violence; CNN was correct in reporting the story as a meeting between an Israeli Intelligence officer and his Palestinian agent that ended in gunfire.

The other media sources you quote carry a similar version of events in their editions today. Far from "whitewashing a Palestinian atrocity" we were the only news organisation that reported the story correctly right from the beginning.

Mike Hanna

===============

ISRAEL UPDATE REPLIES:

Israel Update responded to Mike Hanna with the following points:

The point we were focusing on was that the Palestinian shot the Israeli at close range, in cold blood, and the Palestinian was only shot at to prevent him from doing further harm. But CNN reported it as an equal exchange of gunfire ("gunfight broke out"), with no indication of who initiated it.

Whether it was a chance meeting or a planned meeting is not relevant to the point we were making. Why did you try to sidestep our main point?

By the way, I believe the assertion that CNN was “the only news organisation that reported the story correctly right from the beginning” is incorrect. A Reuters report describing the clandestine meeting between a “Palestinian collaborator... [and] his Israeli handlers” was posted at 11:08 a.m. ET -- four hours prior to the CNN report.

At the time of the report we had no idea of the sequence of events during the pre-organised meeting. We still do not. (emphasis added)

There has been no public statement from either of the survivors. We are awaiting an official report from the Israeli security officials who've been conducting the de-brief and will report it accordingly.

===============

ISRAEL UPDATE REPLIES:

CNN claims that it still has “no idea of the sequence of events.” Yet the Palestinian claim outright (and this was confirmed by Israeli police) that the Palestinian informer carried out deliberate, pre-meditated murder, probably as a representative of Yasser Arafat's Fatah group.

Why does the lack of a “public statement from either of the survivors” prevent CNN from reporting these facts? Since when are confirmed news reports held up in lieu of public statements from survivors?

The rest of the world's news agencies don't seem to be lacking any information in this regard:

NEW YORK TIMES -- Palestinian officials said the assailant was Hasan Abu Sayreh, an informer who had agreed to meet the colonel. The Palestinians called the incident a carefully planned execution in revenge for the killing of a Palestinian paramilitary leader in November.http://www.nytimes.com/2001/06/15/world/15MIDE.html?searchpv=day05

LOS ANGELES TIMES -- In a leaflet, a group calling itself the Hussein Abeiat Brigade took responsibility for the shooting and said Abu Shaireh volunteered to carry it out to avenge the death of Abeiat, a Fatah militant the Israeli army killed in November...http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/20010615/t000049811.html

REUTERS -- An offshoot of Arafat's Fatah faction claimed it had been responsible for the killing of the officer near Bethlehem. The group said in a statement the Israeli officer had been in charge of recruiting collaborators to assassinate Palestinian activists and the man had volunteered to kill his handler.http://dailynews.yahoo.com/h/nm/20010614/wl/mideast_leadall_dc_ 235.html

===============

CONCLUSION

CNN and Mike Hanna have consistently and deliberately obfuscated the truth of Palestinian atrocities, and in the past nine months of Mideast violence, CNN's credibility as a reputable news organization has been torn to shreds.

Why is CNN not reporting the facts?

If you believe that CNN demonstrated bias in reporting this story, complain to:

Featured at Aish.com:

About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons grew up trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York, enjoying summers as a tour guide at Niagara Falls. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. He is the co-founder of Aish.com, and founder of the Torah study site, JewishPathways.com. He is also the co-founder of HonestReporting.com, and author of "David & Goliath", the definitive treatment of media bias against Israel (2012). He lives with his wife and children in the Modi'in region of Israel.

The opinions expressed in the comment section are the personal views of the commenters. Comments are moderated, so please keep it civil.

Visitor Comments: 14

(14)
Rinaldo Coelho,
December 26, 2001 12:00 AM

Go ahead...

Here in Brazil we are vaccinate against all this trash. Unfortunatly CNN is the only window open to the word... But on the Web we always find another point of view and an oportunity to the truth.Thanks...

(13)
K Whelan,
August 27, 2001 12:00 AM

Thank You

I did indeed respond to CNN concerning their biased reporting of the "terrorism" that Israel is endurring. I also suggested a new title for CNN....Credibility Not Necessary!

(12)
Anonymous,
July 28, 2001 12:00 AM

Thank You!

Thank you for confronting the twisted, reporting of CNN. It's about time someone does. Many of us are sick and tired of the flat out, purposeful misleading reporting that CNN and other ( or should I say, Most)networks put out. Thank you for standing up for the TRUTH and being courageous enough to confront the LIE!!! Your an encouragment for the rest of us to do the same...Sami

(11)
Martin Duckworth,
July 28, 2001 12:00 AM

CNN IS OUT

We no longer watch CNN or any of its spin offs. About all American TV news is weak, but Turner is at the bottom of the heap.

(10)
gary eisen,
July 27, 2001 12:00 AM

Shocking but true

These last 10 months have been an eye opener as far as media anti-Israel bias is concerned. Your CNN expose pales in comparison to what I saw on the BBC in January of this year. I was in Israel at the time watching an Israeli TV report on a revenge attack by settlers on Arab homes in Gaza. The attack was simple hooliganism and I will not justify it. The proximate reason for the revenge attack was the killing of an Israel farmer by his Palestinian worker. Israeli TV carried film footage of the burial of the Israeli farmer and the revenge attack I described. The same film footage -- frame for frame -- was shown on BBC minus the burial of the Jew. Since the burial scene was only seconds long, its deletion was not designed to save time but rather to deprive viewers of the context of the revenge attack and by extension eliminate sympathy for the Israeli side. We clearly have enormous work on our hands if we want to turn this situation around.

(9)
Frank Margulis,
July 1, 2001 12:00 AM

Rabbi Simmons ... Keep It Up

Rabbi Simmons very carefully researched pieces about CNN and other media bias need to be heard far and wide. I am surprised CNN had the guts to respond. Many of us in America know that CNN stands for Clinton News Network (that is, tainted by a very liberal and anti-Israel bias), and Rabbi Simmons has carefully exposed that.

(8)
Harvey Weiner,
June 27, 2001 12:00 AM

Keep up the fight Rav.

Your commentary and critique of "The news" has been very helpful. I don't know where you find the time but please know that your efforts are appreciated and noted by many around the world. I have been forwarding stuff from Aish to over 600 allies in the cause, as Gavriel Kleinerman knows.
Harv Weiner, Dallas

(7)
Anonymous,
June 26, 2001 12:00 AM

I'm glad to see your article and the truth it brings out about the bias in the media. I stopped watching CNN after I realized what they were doing during the U.S. Presidential election. I no longer watch them due to the fact that they are not reporting the entire truth. The more people that know about this the better. A lot of people believe what is being reported so truth in reporting is a must. They are misleading millions of people and turning them more and more against Jews. They are also misleading people on a lot of political issues.

(6)
Anonymous,
June 26, 2001 12:00 AM

CNN is failing

In the past few months I have stopped frequenting cnn.com for my daily news briefs. I have also advised all my friends and colleagues to not visit cnn.com. I think our efforts are paying off as cnn.com has had to lay off staff.

(5)
Suzy ROse,
June 25, 2001 12:00 AM

this is not the 1st or last time

I will be forwarding this to all my friends and associates, this is a never ending story andwhen will they see the reality. Even when you stick it under their noses they are either blind or too stupid or funded by oil !!!

(4)
irene hesse,
June 25, 2001 12:00 AM

AS SENT TO CNN'S 8 "COMPLAINT" E-MAIL SOURCES

Re: June 14 “Shootout” article

I am a Gentile and I am from the United States.

CNN really blundered on this one – I wonder what
else you “blunder” on that I don’t know about?

It seems I will have to double check your news lines
in future! I AM APALLED!!

SHAME! SHAME!!

(3)
Anonymous,
June 25, 2001 12:00 AM

I agree with CNN on this one.

After reading all of the above I must say that I find that CNN has done no wrong. I understand that you would have liked to see CNN report it DIFFERENTLY, but unfortunately that decision is not up to you. There are many news groups out there that report, biased, false and most times damning news reports. But in this case, I do not feel that CNN has done so.

(2)
Hillary Goldstein,
June 24, 2001 12:00 AM

This is the last straw for me concerning CNN. I have e-mailed CNN, Time Warner, & AOL before,and have received their "pat answers". Now, even with the proof of their bias staring them squarely in the face, they have the nerve to still justify their continuing of their Pro-Palestinian Propaganda. It absilutely disgusts me!!! I am dropping Time Warner Cable for Direct TV. I know that I will still get CNN, however at least my personal check for $70 a month will NOT go directly to them. I intend to e-mail them all again, and again forward this to my entire e-mail list.

Thank you for keeping us informed about such blatant disgusting reporting.

Sincerely,
Hillary Goldstein
Sugar Land, TX. USA

(1)
Judith Sinclair,
June 24, 2001 12:00 AM

Refuting CNN

Thank you for refuting CNN on its biased reporting. Most people following the Middle East goings on see what CNN is doing and it's infuriating. I don't see what the point is of such one-sided reporting.

I've been striving to get more into spirituality. But it seems that every time I make some progress, I find myself slipping right back to where I started. I'm getting discouraged and feel like a failure. Can you help?

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Spiritual slumps are a natural part of spiritual growth. There is a cycle that people go through when at times they feel closer to God and at times more distant. In the words of the Kabbalists, it is "two steps forward and one step back." So although you feel you are slipping, know that this is a natural process. The main thing is to look at your overall progress (over months or years) and be able to see how far you've come!

This is actually God's ingenious way of motivating us further. The sages compare this to teaching a baby how to walk. When the parent is holding on, the baby shrieks with delight and is under the illusion that he knows how to walk. Yet suddenly, when the parent lets go, the child panics, wobbles and may even fall.

At such times when we feel spiritually "down," that is often because God is letting go, giving us the great gift of independence. In some ways, these are the times when we can actually grow the most. For if we can move ourselves just a little bit forward, we truly acquire a level of sanctity that is ours forever.

Here is a practical tool to help pull you out of the doldrums. The Sefer HaChinuch speaks about a great principle in spiritual growth: "The external awakens the internal." This means that although we may not experience immediate feelings of closeness to God, eventually, by continuing to conduct ourselves in such a manner, this physical behavior will have an impact on our spiritual selves and will help us succeed. (A similar idea is discussed by psychologists who say: "Smile and you will feel happy.")

That is the power of Torah commandments. Even if we may not feel like giving charity or praying at this particular moment, by having a "mitzvah" obligation to do so, we are in a framework to become inspired. At that point we can infuse that act of charity or prayer with all the meaning and lift it can provide. But if we'd wait until being inspired, we might be waiting a very long time.

May the Almighty bless you with the clarity to see your progress, and may you do so with joy.

In 1940, a boatload 1,600 Jewish immigrants fleeing Hitler's ovens was denied entry into the port of Haifa; the British deported them to the island of Mauritius. At the time, the British had acceded to Arab demands and restricted Jewish immigration into Palestine. The urgent plight of European Jewry generated an "illegal" immigration movement, but the British were vigilant in denying entry. Some ships, such as the Struma, sunk and their hundreds of passengers killed.

If you seize too much, you are left with nothing. If you take less, you may retain it (Rosh Hashanah 4b).

Sometimes our appetites are insatiable; more accurately, we act as though they were insatiable. The Midrash states that a person may never be satisfied. "If he has one hundred, he wants two hundred. If he gets two hundred, he wants four hundred" (Koheles Rabbah 1:34). How often have we seen people whose insatiable desire for material wealth resulted in their losing everything, much like the gambler whose constant urge to win results in total loss.

People's bodies are finite, and their actual needs are limited. The endless pursuit for more wealth than they can use is nothing more than an elusive belief that they can live forever (Psalms 49:10).

The one part of us which is indeed infinite is our neshamah (soul), which, being of Divine origin, can crave and achieve infinity and eternity, and such craving is characteristic of spiritual growth.

How strange that we tend to give the body much more than it can possibly handle, and the neshamah so much less than it needs!